Cultivating Immortality Begins with Acting as a Girl Chapter 135

The young man led the way, with Song Ling and Ni Huaijun following behind him.

Along the way, they passed through a lush bamboo forest. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting dappled light and shadow, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet path.

Before long, an exquisite mansion came into view. Red lanterns hung at the entrance, and a stone lion stood on each side of the gate, giving it a solemn yet festive appearance. The mansion’s gates were wide open, revealing a vibrant scene inside with colorful decorations and a constant stream of guests.

The young man led the two through the courtyard to a grand hall where a banquet was being held.

Dozens of tables were set up in the hall, each laden with a variety of delicious dishes, their fragrant aromas filling the air.

The young man led Song Ling to an empty table and seated him, then instructed a servant to serve tea and wine, offering warm hospitality. Song Ling made himself at home, enjoying the food on the table while admiring the mansion’s scenery.

“You eat too; don’t just stand there,” Song Ling casually remarked, glancing at Ni Huaijun, who stood quietly beside him.

“Thank you, Young Master,” Ni Huaijun replied before finally sitting down.

After eating for a while, they began to understand the background of this family from the surrounding conversations and discussions.

The owner of this mansion was known to everyone as Hu Sanniangzi, and the master who had passed the provincial examination, as mentioned by the young man, was Hu family’s live-in son-in-law, Li Mubai.

Hu Sanniangzi’s father’s generation rose to prominence through water transportation, establishing a sizable fleet on the Raoyang River, which connected several prefectures. Unfortunately, twenty years ago, the Hu family was targeted by the notorious river bandits “Pingyang Dao.” All six family members were brutally murdered, with only the youngest daughter, Hu Sanniangzi, who was studying abroad at the time, surviving.

Despite such a tragic event, Hu Sanniangzi did not succumb to despair. Instead, she abandoned her studies for martial arts, and in just six years, transformed from an ordinary person with no martial arts knowledge into a first-rate master!

Later, she returned to her hometown and completely annihilated the Pingyang Dao, who were still terrorizing the Raoyang River, avenging her entire family.

Such a legendary experience made Hu Sanniangzi’s name almost universally known in the area. People widely praised her bravery and resilience.

Even after this, Hu Sanniangzi did not stop. She not only continued to make progress in martial arts but also restarted the shipping business. With her extraordinary strength and courage, she quickly expanded and strengthened the business, causing the Hu family’s wealth to grow day by day, making them the most prominent wealthy merchants in the area.

Four years ago, she took a significant step forward in martial arts, achieving the realm of Inner Gang Grandmaster!

As for the encounter between Hu Sanniangzi and Li Mubai, the master mentioned by the young man, it happened two years ago.

At that time, Li Mubai was merely a down-and-out scholar, who, due to the decline of his family, drifted here and made a living by copying books. Although he was in adversity, he was immensely talented, often reciting poetry under the moon to express his ambitions. His talent and resilience caught Hu Sanniangzi’s attention.

Over time, the two developed feelings for each other and eventually pledged their lives together.

“What a beautiful story, wouldn’t you say, Huaijun?” Song Ling took a small sip of wine and asked with a faint smile.

“Hu Sanniangzi is truly admirable.”

Ni Huaijun’s expression was somewhat complex. Both had their families annihilated, but Hu Sanniangzi could avenge herself with her own strength, while she could only place all her hopes on others… The disparity between them was immeasurable.

After three rounds of wine, just as the guests were immersed in laughter and cheer, a man and a woman walked out of a side room, hand in hand.

The woman was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, her steps light, a gentle and graceful smile on her face, with a hint of heroism in her brows. The man was dressed as an elegant scholar, gently fanning himself with an exquisite folding fan, displaying a refined demeanor.

Their occasional gazes at each other were filled with love, as if the entire world consisted only of themselves.

The guests rose one after another, bowing and offering congratulations:

“Hu Sanniangzi, congratulations!”

“Congratulations to Master Li on passing the imperial examination! You are sure to achieve great things in the imperial court in the future!”

Hu Sanniangzi and Li Mubai smiled and nodded to the guests, then walked together to the main seats at the front of the hall. Hu Sanniangzi raised her wine cup and loudly addressed everyone:

“Everyone, thank you for honoring us with your presence today. Mubai and I are deeply honored. This toast is, firstly, to thank you all for your years of support and kindness, and secondly, to celebrate Mubai’s success in the imperial examination. May his future career be smooth, and may he contribute greatly to the country and its people.”

With that, Hu Sanniangzi drained the wine in her cup.

“Mubai, it’s your turn.”

Amidst the enthusiastic applause and cheers of the guests, Hu Sanniangzi urged Li Mubai beside her.

Unexpectedly, Li Mubai closed his folding fan, and a strange smile suddenly appeared on his face. He said, “My dear, this wine contains the world’s most potent poison, ‘Seven-Heart Shattering Dew.’ You drink it; I don’t want to die yet.”

As Li Mubai’s words fell, Hu Sanniangzi felt a sudden sharp pain in her heart, and all strength drained from her body like a receding tide. The cup in her hand clattered to the ground.

The guests instantly erupted in an uproar, astonishment and confusion etched on everyone’s faces. They never imagined that such a joyous banquet would suddenly take such a turn.

Hu Sanniangzi’s body swayed precariously. With the remaining strength of her Grandmaster realm, she forcibly endured the agonizing onset of the poison. Her gaze, sharp as a torch, fixed on Li Mubai, and her voice, trembling yet firm, asked, “Why? Mubai, why would you do this?”

“Why?”

Li Mubai sneered, “Naturally, for revenge!”

“Revenge? What enmity do I have with you, Mubai?” Hu Sanniangzi was still bewildered.

“The leader of the Pingyang Dao you killed back then was my father,” Li Mubai said expressionlessly.

“What?!”

Hu Sanniangzi was struck by lightning. “Impossible! You… How could you be a remnant of the Pingyang Dao leader? On that day, there were dozens of Pingyang Dao members, and I clearly left no one alive!”

“My dear, then how did you survive that year?” Li Mubai said indifferently.

“You…” Hu Sanniangzi stared blankly.

She looked at the person who had been her husband for two years, only to find him so utterly unfamiliar.

At this moment, the guests in the hall largely understood what was happening. They all stood up and angrily denounced Li Mubai: “Shameless scoundrel! Your father was the one who first killed Hu Sanniangzi’s family; she was merely retaliating! What right do you, as the aggressor, have to speak of revenge?!”

Li Mubai coldly looked at the crowd and said chillingly, “Don’t worry, it will be your turn soon.”

With that, he blew a whistle. Moments later, screams erupted from outside as a group of black-clad figures rushed into the courtyard, killing anyone they saw!

“My dear, after today, I will take the Hu family’s assets to the capital to pursue a career, and you will become one of the countless corpses at the bottom of the Raoyang River!” Li Mubai looked at Hu Sanniangzi, who had already collapsed on the ground, her breath weak, his face filled with coldness and determination.

Just then, a somewhat lazy voice came from a certain table in the main hall:

“What a grand show, truly satisfying. Huaijun, let’s go.”

…

——————

Time flies so fast; in the blink of an eye, 2024 is also over. It’s truly.

It seems that after growing up, life has been put on fast forward.

…

(Omitted 10, 000 words of lamentation here.)

In short, I wish everyone in 2025 that all your wishes come true and everything goes smoothly.

(Hehe, just thinking about the interesting plot after Song Ling starts cultivating immortality makes me so excited, I really want to write it for you to read right away!!!)